3pts Predicted for Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea ?

Logie’s Premier League Preview

Before the International break we have another very interesting series of games in the Premiership. A disaster the previous week for me I did respond with six out of ten last week so at least that was an improvement. The Premier League is really beginning to take shape with most sides able to take points off each other. No easy games this weekend either and a weekend to look forward to.

Let us know your predictions in the comments below or on twitter at @FantasyYIRMA

Swansea v Newcastle

Alan Pardew says he is upset as the recent protests about him are beginning to affect his family. It’s always unfortunate when that happens but it is inevitable when you manage a side who are struggling all over the park. The fans have taken to raising placards at games calling for Pardew to be sacked. Not a great way to inspire anyone. His job is safe for the time being but I’m not sure how long he can last. Swansea on the other hand have no worries. They have made a strong start to the season and they give little away at home. Newcastle and Pardew would love a win. I don’t think they get it. In fact I’m not convinced they will even get a point.

Home win.

Hull v Crystal Palace

This is going to be a very tight game. Since Neil Warnock has taken over Palace have gained two wins and two draws so the confidence levels will be high. Hull on the other hand have been going through a very difficult patch. No wins in five matches says it all. Hull are a good side I feel and a few weeks ago I would have nailed the home side for a win but this won’t be easy. Hull need points to arrest their slide and this is as good a chance as they will have. This is a game they simply have to win and I think they will do just that. It won’t be pretty.

Home win.

Leicester v Burnley

Two of the promoted sides from last season. Last season Leicester finished nine points ahead of Burnley in their race to the Premiership and I think that Leicester have reacted best to life in the top grade. Burnley were taken apart by West Brom last week. 4-0 for a side who say they will play it tight. Burnley have real problems up front as well. Only two goals so far in the Premiership is the form of relegation even at this early stage. At the start of the season this is a game that Leicester will have ear marked for victory. Remember this is a Leicester side who beat Man United just a few weeks back. Despite their efforts at Palace last week Leicester are a side who are on the up and I fancy them to take all three points in this one. Burnley won’t fear the fixture but things aren’t going well for them.

Home win.

Liverpool v West Brom

Not a great season so far for Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers. Liverpool are struggling in so many parts of their team. They need Raheem Sterling to play well otherwise they are in trouble. The loss of Daniel Sturridge has been serious to say the least. Without him Liverpool don’t score goals. Like Luis Suarez he is prepared to work for the team unlike Balotelli. At the time I questioned why Liverpool bought him and my opinion hasn’t changed. A bit like the American Ryder Cup lads he can’t spell team and as such for me he has been a bad buy. West Brom took Burnley apart last week and come to Anfield on the back of three wins on the trot. On paper Liverpool should win and as such I still have a hankering for the lads in Red but it won’t be easy. I’m going for a win here but only just. Not a fixture I would be touching this weekend.

Home win.

Sunderland v Stoke

One of a series of fixtures this weekend which are very difficult to call. A bounce of a ball if you ask me. Stoke have gone off the boil a little and Mark Hughes will want to see his side gain at least a point in this one. Sunderland performed a miracle last season but so far they cannot buy a win. They have yet to record a league victory and they need to start turning the corner. Both sides struggle to hit the net so not a game I think where we will see too many goals. Some think that Sunderland might get all three points in this but I’m not so sure. Stoke will shut up shop.

Draw.

Aston Villa v Man City

A few weeks back you would have looked at this fixture and tipped City to win with something to spare. Not so now. Villa have exceeded all expectations this season. A great start for them but they now face a serious fixture list. They lost to Arsenal last week and now they play the Champions. City will be glad to get back into domestic action. When they hit Europe they tend to freeze. The draw mid week against Roma has made their progress in Europe difficult to say the least. If they are to have any chance of retaining their title and even staying close to Chelsea at this stage City need to win this fixture.

I think they just might have enough for the win so a tentative vote for an away win. Just about.

Man Utd v Everton

Everton were in Russia mid-week for a European tie and United have been able to rest for the week with no European commitments. Everton are not the team they were last year and United are not the team of recent years. When you look at Van Gaal you could say that David Moyes was just as good. Everton got a lucky draw at Liverpool last week and they are not the team they were. Expect several of their top players to leave in the January transfer window. Wayne Rooney is missing because of suspension. The “More Mature” Rooney, his words not mine, is missing after a blatant kick last week which saw see Red. The mind boggles.

Having said that, even without their Captain United appear to have too many options and I’m backing them for all three points.

Home win.

Chelsea v Arsenal

Chelsea are the benchmark for all the rest. They look much stronger and better organised this season. They had another good result in Europe and so did Arsenal but the Gunners are not as good as Chelsea. Simple as that. Despite a hat trick from Danny Wellbeck my vote is with Chelsea.

Home win.

Spurs v Southampton

In recent weeks to my cost I have tipped Spurs to win games. I am determined never to tip them again for anything. Southampton are second in the table and they deserve to be there after playing and producing some great football. Spurs made several changes to their side mid-week for the Europa League and few of that side will start in the Premiership. I’m not tipping Spurs to win or even draw this one.

Let’s be brave. Away win.

West Ham v QPR

A good old London derby on paper but in all honesty West Ham look the far better side. QPR bought several players in the summer but they have failed to gel as a team and as a result they have been very poor this season. West Ham are playing good football and Andy Carroll is not even missed. What are the chances he will be gone by January? Because of his injury West Ham have been forced to play a different sort of game. They have improved as a result and now look a team who are heading in the right direction.

Adrian Logan, Affectionately known as Logie, Adrian joined UTV in 1985 and is currently sports editor and a sports presenter and reporter for UTV Live.

Broadcaster, journalist, commentator. Lover of all sports.

“I fancy Tyrone this year!”

You will have probably noticed we are running for best #FPL blog in the upcoming Football Blog Awards. There are genuinely a lot of great options out there however if you would like to vote for us it’s greatly appreciated.

For those that do not know FantasyYIRMA is an independent blog ran by just myself (Ryan) and Mark and has stayed in this format for more than 2 years now. I run the twitter account and handle site admin and Mark provides content in the form of previews and features.

We realise there are bigger fish in this fantasy pond however we continue to strive to improve the site with new features, original Fantasy content and competitions whilst still trying to maintain the key objective we had when we started – to interact with the growing #FPL community and get people talking and excited about Fantasy Football.

If you would like to vote please click your preferred method below – Thanks again for the ongoing support